A Scottish man is facing six months in prison after police arrested him for a tweet regarding the death of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The unnamed 35-year-old man was arrested by Scottish police on Monday after authorities received a report about a tweet that was deemed to be “offensive” regarding the death of Captain Moore, The Independent reported.
Moore, a World War II veteran who had previously raised millions to help COVID-19 patients and workers in Britain by holding a charity walk in his garden, died on Feb. 1 from complications related to COVID-19.
On Friday, 5 February, we received a report of an offensive tweet about Sir Captain Tom Moore who died on Tuesday, 2 February.
A 35-year-old man has been charged in connection with communication offences and is due to appear at Lanark Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 17 February. pic.twitter.com/K7c5cL4gJT
— Lanarkshire Police (@Lanarkshire_Pol) February 8, 2021
A spokeswoman for the Scotland Police told the Independent that the report about the offensive tweet came in on Friday. It is unclear as to what the tweet said about Captain Moore or what prompted the arrest. (RELATED: Democrats Unveil Bill That Would Limit Section 230 Protections)
“A 35-year-old man has subsequently been arrested and charged in connection with communication offences and is due to appear at Lanark Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 17 February,” the spokeswoman told The Independent.
The man was reportedly charged with the crime under the Communications Act in Britain, the outlet reported, which makes it illegal to send messages of “grossly offensive or of an indecent…character.”
If convicted, the unnamed man faces up to six months in jail or a fine of £5,000, or both, The Independent reported.